Rightly-dividing
Rightly dividing the word of truth

Rightly dividing the word of truth or dividing the truth
By: Dov Avnon
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy chapter 2 King James Version.
This verse is part of a list of instructions that Paul gave to timothy and to those who want to be a servant of the Lord. It is starting with the words: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”. 2 Tim. 2:1. the grace that is in Christ Jesus means to be strong in Christ's words to Paul: the gospel of Gods grace in the dispensation of grace.
It is very important because one of the duties of the servant of the Lord is to “commit thou to faithful men”. The continuation of the gospel of God's grace over the years depends much on faithful people.
Paul told timothy a few things concerning God's word:
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim 3:16
Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 2 Tim 2:7
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 2 Tim 2:8
From those verses and others, we understand The revelation that Christ gave to Paul. Romans till Philemon’s is part of the all word of God which is truth.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.1 Cor 4:15
From this verse and others we understand that during Paul's lifetime, He was saved in Act 9. Peter James and John were preaching the gospel to circumcision. They had to fulfill the writings as we know them today – Hebrews till Revelation. Right from the beginning, we understand that people started to confuse about the gospels.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gal. 1:6
There are much more verses that describe why it is important to draw a line between the revelation that Christ gave to Paul and the rest of God’s word.
Study or to be approved unto God is clear. Paul is talking often about the need to read or to consider what he was saying. First, you need to believe, to put your faith in God's word. If you want to grow in that faith and to know more about the God of the Bible - you must study! That simple.
So what is the meaning of RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. you read this term if you are using the authorized version like I do in English, Dutch, and Hebrew. If you still interested to know how to rightly divide the word of truth you will need to understand English!
The term rightly dividing is known for long time. It is about taking the Bible as the bread of life en cutting it in the right way. But what is then the right way to do it?
Darby, scofield, larkin, e.w bulinger, C.R Stam etc. all those people were faithful men of God that devoted their life to teaching the word and they cut this bread of life different. So again what is the “rightly dividing” when are we doing it right and when we divide it wrong?
Some like to over emphasize this term and overlook the fact that rightly dividing come last in this vers. Vers simple teaches that we need to study. It is not a study of the subject or works of other writers. It is a study of the revelation that Christ gave to paul. This we understand from vers 1-3. This study is not about knowing facts but it is about studying thing diligently which mean hard, make effort = being careful, and persevering in carrying out tasks or duties. See 2 Timothy 2:1-15.
The verse is not just about someone who understands differences in the dispensations or that Paul's gospel is different from the gospel of the 12 apostles. The verse is talking about someone who studies because he wants to be approved by God. He wants to be a workman that not have to be ashamed that what he do is not according to what Christ revealed to Paul.
As I understand this term or verse, in the context in which Paul is writing, it is about:
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Tim. 2:1-2
be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus – It is about the gospel of God’s grace (acts 20:24) and the dispensation of grace (Ephesians 3:1-9) that Chris gave to Paul.
the things that thou hast heard of me – Paul makes it clear already in his first letter to the churches the following
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11
So as for me – Rightly dividing the word of truth is :
Christ through Paul the dispensation of grace = Romans till Philemon
Christ on earth = Matt. Mark. Luk and John
Christ and the gospel to the circumcisions (Peter, James and John) Hebrew till the revelation
The different Positions
Things were much easy if everyone would just listen to what Christ said to Paul, but history shows that Satan's main goal is to hide the truth from God's children. So instead of that we will be established in the truth most of us grew up in a certain religious system and in a certain moment we heard what Christ asks through Paul for a long time
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Eph. 3
You will find saved people talking about Rightly dividing from a different point of view
Acts 2 – J.N. Darby – C.I. Scofield and most evangelical Churches. They teach that Acts 2 is the beginning of this dispensation. They understand the difference between Israel and the body of Christ. Teach water baptism and have a mixed gospel of salvation acts 2:37-38
Acts 9,13 – In the USA man say also “mid acts” Acts 2 – brethren will say often “they are ultra”. I had the privilege to learn this position in 1980 from the writings of J.C. OHair, C.R.Stam C.F. Baker. “Mid acts” brethren are teaching that Paul had different gospel that Christ gave to the 12 apostles. They teach that acts 9,13 is the place where the present dispensation was started. They understand the truth of one baptism and that Christ did not send Paul to water baptize. They teach that Lord supper is part of the dispensation of Grace. They understand that all of the Bible is the word of God but that Paul's letters (some include Hebrews too) are specially written to the present Church the body of Christ. I think C.R. Stam book “things that differ” will explain in a good way about this position.
Acts 28 – E.W. Bullinger or “bullingerism” the teaching that divides Paul's letters into letters that were written during the Acts period and letters that were written from the prison or after. If Acts 2 brethren label acts 9,13 brethren as “Ultra”. Acts 9,13 brethren see the Acts 28 position as false teaching. It is mainly about the dispensation of Grace did not start before acts chapter 28 etc.
Now after we understand that life is not that easy and not everyone agrees with everyone let us go back to 2 Tim. 2:15. We read in this verse to rightly divide the word of truth. The question is what are we going to divide and what is the word of truth?.
The confusion around rightly dividing the word of truth started when brethren took teaching from acts 28 positions and start to mix it with acts 9,13. This is why it is hard to know those days what everyone is standing for.
For some brethren rightly dividing is about dividing between Paul and the 12 apostles or between God's earthly and heavenly program. For other brethren, it is about dividing between Paul's letters and between the two groups of believers in his letters, and as a resolute, those brethren are also rejecting the doctrine of the Lord's supper/bread and wine for this dispensation of grace.
What is the word of truth in 2 Tim 2:15 ?. Is it about the Bible that we should rightly dividing or is it only about the truth that Christ gave to Paul that we should divide?
EPHESIANS 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation
Brethren believe that rightly dividing is about dividing between the two groups in Paul's letters linking the word of truth in this verse only to the gospel of our salvation. While this verse is talking about how the gospel of our salvation that you heard is the word of truth.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
All revelation that Christ gave to Paul is one big word of truth / God.
COLOSSIANS 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
When Paul was writing to the church (Ephesians 1:13-14) the gospel of salvation that Paul was preaching was already known. Paul's word in the letter to the Ephesians is just a reminder to what he was already teaching the churches.
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Galatians 1
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 10:8-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 corinthians 15:1-5
2 THESSALONIANS 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth
GALATIANS 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you
GALATIANS 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
rightly dividing the word of truth.
So as for me according to those verses and others - the word of truth in 2 Tim 2:15 and the grace that is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim 2:1 are the same. If we should divide something is the word of truth and NOT Paul's letters. The line is not between Paul's early letters or prison letters, but between the word of truth that Christ gave to Paul and the Word of truth that Christ gave to Peter, James and John.
to testify the gospel of the grace of God acts 20:24



